Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has explained why he appointed Nyesom Wike—now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—as his Chief of Staff during his tenure as Governor of Rivers State.
Amaechi revealed that he deliberately chose Wike for the Chief of Staff role, rather than appointing him Commissioner for Finance, so he could closely supervise him.
Wike had earlier reacted to a remark Amaechi made during his 60th birthday celebration, where he said, “We’re all hungry.” Wike dismissed the comment, claiming that Amaechi wasn’t hungry for food but for political relevance.
Responding during an interview on *Arise Television’s Prime Time* on Tuesday evening, Amaechi rejected Wike’s suggestion that he (Wike) made him governor. He insisted that God, former Governor Peter Odili, the judiciary, and the people of Rivers State made his election possible.
“God, Peter Odili, the judiciary and the Rivers State people made me governor,” Amaechi said. “Ask him how he made me governor. I’m saying this because I don’t want to join issues with children.”
Amaechi criticized Wike for claiming credit for his rise in politics and suggested Wike took undue credit for his own political advancements.
“I appointed him Chief of Staff so I could supervise him closely,” he said. “I didn’t offer him the position of Commissioner for Finance. He made himself Chief of Staff. He made himself governor. He made himself minister. He made himself local government chairman.”
Amaechi emphasized that he would not engage in public squabbles with Wike, whom he likened to a child in political conduct.
